Second loss may doom OU’s title hopes

Only a month ago, if you wanted to talk about national title contenders in college football, you couldn’t hold a conversation without at least mentioning the Oklahoma Sooners.

Ranked third in the preseason, OU seemed as worthy as almost anyone.

Not any more.

After only four games, the Sooners have lost twice. Thus, their chances of returning to the Bowl Championship Series title game have been broad-sided, and likely have been dashed, completely.

The 17th-ranked Miami Hurricanes dealt the No. 8 Sooners the crushing blow Saturday night, holding on for a 21-20 victory at Miami’s Land Shark Stadium.

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris threw three touchdown passes as the Hurricanes rallied from a 10-0 deficit.

History tells us that OU’s title game hopes are not dead. LSU survived two regular-season losses to make it to the BCS championship in 2007.

But with a 2-2 record, OU now probably needs to win the rest of its games and then get some help from other teams.

Hit with injuries to key players since the season started, the Sooners lost another one early against Miami as leading receiver Ryan Broyles left the field with a shoulder injury.

The Oklahoman is reporting that Broyles has suffered a fractured left shoulder and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks.

Broyles caught a 37-yard pass to spark the Sooners’ first touchdown drive. But after he left the game, OU’s offense seemed to lose momentum.

Leading 10-0 early in the second quarter, the Sooners went to a running game. Miami’s defense contained it well enough, and then its offense responded with Harris throwing bullet passes and Javarris James running between the tackles.

OU fell behind 21-10 but rallied behind running back DeMarco Murray to pull within a point in the fourth quarter. But it wasn’t enough as Miami (3-1) successfully rebounded from last week’s loss at Virginia Tech.

OU quarterback Landry Jones, starting his third game in place of injured Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, threw for one touchdown and was credited with 193 yards passing.

The status of Bradford, who hasn’t played since he sprained his right (throwing) shoulder on Sept. 5, isn’t known as OU prepares to open its Big 12 schedule this week at home against Baylor.

After the Baylor game, OU plays on Oct. 17 in its annual grudge match against second-ranked Texas in Dallas.